Epilogue

Twenty-two years later and Toryn Farr was no longer young. The years had been kind to her, however and she kept her age well. Her involvement with the Rebel Alliance through the years had given her a purpose for living and continuing on, in spite of her difficulties. She had done well for herself and her two daughters, both of whom were now grown and loyal fighters in the Alliance.

She had advanced through the years to become the Alliance's Chief Controller of Operations. It was her job now to make sure that commanders and the ground troops received the right orders and she acted as the interface between command and the ion cannon gunners.

She brushed some snow out of her hair as she arrived for her shift. She was in charge of monitoring the activity surrounding the system of Hoth where the Rebels were currently hiding from the Empire.

She was in a somber mood today, which wasn't that unusual as the Empire continued tightening it's grip against its citizens, but today was a special day.

On this day twenty-two years ago, she had lost her husband, son and her cousin to the Empire.

Her heart clenched in her chest painfully as she tried to dispel the memories that threatened to overwhelm her.

/If only you know how much I miss you./

She looked around briefly, before going to her seat and she noticed that Princess Leia was standing nearby.

Toryn caught the Princess's eye and smiled weakly, trying to hide the turmoil she felt.

Seeing Leia leading the Rebellion in her father's place was both encouraging and disheartening at the same time. Encouraging because of the new generation that Leia represented—that there was still hope for the Empire to be defeated. Disheartening because Leia also represented what she had lost.

Leia came over to her monitor and studied the display. "Are you alright, Toryn?" She asked.

Toryn sighed a little and wiped her eyes. "Not really, but I will be once Palpatine is out of office."

Leia's look became understanding and she touched her shoulder gently. "I feel the same," she replied softly.

They had talked many times and Toryn considered Leia as dear a friend of hers as her father had been. She knew the guilt Leia still felt for her role in Alderaan's destruction, but she hid it well. The job that mattered was fighting the Empire. They could grieve when this was over. "Your father would be very proud of you, Princess."

Tears formed in Leia's brown eyes. "And your family would be proud of the job you do as well."

Toryn looked up at the monitor, to distract herself and her gaze hardened as she saw a blip on the monitor that represented a ship. The Empire had found them. "We will honor their sacrifice by continuing on. They won't beat us."

Leia nodded in agreement and eyed the monitor as well. "That they won't. I'll go alert General Riekan," she said as she hurried off.

Toryn watched her go anxiously. She tore her gaze away from the direction the Princess had left and stared at the monitor again.

The ships were drawing closer. She readied her mind for the upcoming battle that she knew would follow.

Several minutes later, General Riekan came in and her sector became a riot of feverish activity as Riekan outlined his strategy. Troops were preparing to fight and her job was to get all personnel out safely.

She watched on the monitor as the first transport was leaving, with it's precious cargo of Rebel Alliance personnel.

"Stand by, Ion Control," she directed.

The ships were about to intersect.

Today she would honor her family as she fought against the Empire. In fighting, they would continue to be honored and remembered. /For you Ronin, Kyran and Dilan./ She thought.

/I love you./

"Fire."

The End.